Your Individualized Care

Addiction in older adults is one of America’s fastest growing health issues. Today, 2.5 million older adults have an alcohol or drug problem. Widowers over the age of 75 have the highest rate of alcoholism in the U.S., and older adults are hospitalized as often for alcohol-related problems as they are for heart attacks.[1] Nevertheless, addiction in older adults can be difficult to detect, as warning signs mimic insomnia, forgetfulness and other common age-related health issues.

We offer rehab for individuals that meets their medical, physical and cognitive needs.

The leading provider of proven, comprehensive, personalized behavioral health care and addiction rehab for older adults. Caron is a dignifying place where older adults, or adults needing a higher level of physical assistance, can embrace change and experience real transformation. In some cases, older adults may even reverse the effects of dementia and memory loss.

The team will initially perform several different evaluations of the patient and his or her family to evaluate health status, diagnose substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Significant medical issues—like chronic pain, diabetes or cardiac problems—are taken into account in the patient’s individualized treatment plan. The team then designs an individual and integrated treatment plan, which is continuously monitored and updated according to the patient’s progress.

Older adults stay in rehab for varying lengths of time. It’s important to keep an open mind regarding length of stay, as our ultimate goal is to help each person make a full recovery—mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Learn more about evaluations and treatment plans.

Elements of Rehab for Older Adults

Unique components and benefits of our addiction rehab program for older adults include:

A supportive, non-confrontational approach. Older adults struggling with addiction deserve to be respected. While we continually challenge our patients to achieve and maintain the recovery they need and deserve, we do this with respect and support.

Adjustment to each individual’s abilities.
We accommodate mobility issues, emotional blocks, cognitive abilities and other factors.

Quality of life and finding purpose is the goal.
We work with older adults to realize their best possible futures.

Certified nurse assistants are on staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Elements of Rehab for Older Adults

Compassionate Treatment

Our innovative age-specific program for older adults includes:

Non-confrontational group therapy, which will focus on such issues as:

bereavement

denial

anger

shame

age-related loss and loneliness

Weekly group sessions facilitated by a psychologist

Cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapies (CBT and DBT) which are effective in teaching relationship skills; allowing patients to rebuild social support networks; and promoting self-awareness to overcome grief, loneliness and depression

Appropriate medical, psychological and psychiatric services

Connections to medical and aging services, as well as medical services and case management. Personal care aids are available if a patient needs assistance.

Health and wellness activities and therapies such as:

Massage

Acupuncture

Hydrotherapy

Movement therapy (music, stretching)

Yoga therapy

Meditation

Mindfulness

Each of the above components work in tandem to restore self-worth and build support networks that foster lasting change.

Close family involvement

Family members have diverse responses to a loved one’s addiction. Adult children of addicts often struggle with fear, anger, frustration and worry. Spouses commonly deny or enable their loved one’s addiction. Because we believe the family is integral to the patient’s recovery, we incorporate family members into the treatment process from day one. Our staff has a great deal of experience providing family education about the disease, the recovery process and the importance of self-care. Learn more about family education for older adults.

If you or an older adult you love struggles with addiction, take heart in the fact that older men and women experience the highest rates of recovery following rehab than any age group. Contact Caron to begin pursuing recovery today.

Signs & Symptoms of Abuse in Older Adults

Could Your Loved One Have a Drug or Alcohol Problem?

Addiction to alcohol or drugs often goes unnoticed in an older person. Some of the signs of aging can be similar to signs of possible substance abuse. Medications that many older people take may mask or mimic substance abuse symptoms. Older people generally also drink or take drugs at home. If they are retired, there is no one at a workplace to notice symptoms of substance abuse.

Yet substance abuse is a serious problem for older people. The health consequences are more serious, from increased chances of falling to harmful medication interactions.

Substance abuse may be more likely to occur after a life change, such as retirement, the death of a loved one, or being diagnosed with a serious or debilitating illness.

These are possible signs of substance abuse to be aware of and investigate:

Agitation

Altered liver function

Anemia

Anxiety

Changes in mental abilities

Changes in eating habits, particularly not eating as much

Decline in personal cleanliness

Depression

Drinking in spite of warning labels on prescription drugs

A fall

Fatigue or weakness

Hostility/violence

Incontinence

Increased confusion

Irritability

Lapses in memory

Loss of friends or not staying in regular touch

Loss of interest in favorite activities

Marital problems

Memory impairment

Mood swings

Not being oriented to date, time and place

Panic attacks

Problems sleeping and/or sleeping more during the day

Repeated falls

Selling possessions

Slurred speech

Smell of alcohol on breath

Solitary or secretive drinking

Unable to complete activities of daily living

Unexplained burns/bruises

Caron’s Older Adult Program addresses the complex issues that are often a part of substance abuse in older adults. We can help you and your parent. Recovery is possible at any age.